---
title: "Quick Start Guide"
description: "Get up and running with WhoDB in minutes"
---

# Quick Start Guide

This guide will walk you through the basics of using WhoDB to explore your database, view data, run queries, and export results.

<Tip>
Follow along with this guide after successfully connecting to your database
</Tip>

## Interface Overview

After logging in, you'll see the main WhoDB interface:

![Storage Unit List](/images/05-storage-unit-list.png)

The interface consists of several key areas:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Sidebar" icon="bars">
Navigate between databases, schemas, and tables
</Card>
<Card title="Main Content Area" icon="table-cells">
View and interact with your data
</Card>
<Card title="Top Navigation" icon="navbar">
Access different views and features
</Card>
<Card title="Action Bar" icon="gears">
Context-specific actions and tools
</Card>
</CardGroup>

## Your First Five Minutes

<Steps>
<Step title="Explore the Sidebar">
The sidebar shows your database structure with expandable sections for schemas and tables.

![Sidebar Navigation](/images/06-storage-unit-list-with-sidebar.png)

Click on any schema to expand it and see its tables, views, and other objects.
</Step>
<Step title="View Table Data">
Click on a table name to view its data in the main area.

![Data View](/images/09-data-view-users-table.png)

The data grid shows all rows and columns with sorting, filtering, and search capabilities.
</Step>
<Step title="Explore Table Structure">
Click the "Explore" tab to view table metadata, columns, indexes, and constraints.

![Explore Table](/images/07-explore-users-table.png)
</Step>
<Step title="Run a Query">
Switch to the "Scratchpad" view to write and execute custom SQL queries.

![Scratchpad](/images/27-scratchpad-main-view.png)
</Step>
<Step title="Visualize Relationships">
Open the "Graph" view to see your database schema as an interactive diagram.

![Graph View](/images/24-graph-view-schema-topology.png)
</Step>
</Steps>

## Key Features to Try

### 1. Viewing and Filtering Data

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Sorting Columns">
Click any column header to sort the data in ascending or descending order.

![Sorted Column](/images/38-data-view-sorted-column.png)

<Tip>
Hold Shift and click multiple columns to sort by multiple fields
</Tip>
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Searching Data">
Use the search box to find specific values across all visible columns.

![Search Highlight](/images/19-data-view-search-highlight.png)

Search is real-time and highlights matching results as you type.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Filtering with Where Conditions">
Click the filter button to add WHERE conditions for complex filtering.

![Where Conditions](/images/16-data-view-where-conditions-popover.png)

You can combine multiple conditions with AND/OR logic:
- Equals (=)
- Not Equals (!=)
- Greater Than (>)
- Less Than (\<)
- Greater Than or Equal (>=)
- Less Than or Equal (\<=)
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Pagination">
Control how many rows appear per page using the page size dropdown.

![Page Size](/images/15-data-view-page-size-dropdown.png)

Navigate between pages using the pagination controls at the bottom.
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### 2. Managing Data

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Adding Rows">
Click the "Add Row" button to insert new records.

![Add Row Dialog](/images/11-data-view-add-row-dialog.png)

Fill in the fields and click "Add" to insert the record.

![Add Row Filled](/images/12-data-view-add-row-filled.png)

<Note>
Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*). Auto-increment fields can be left empty.
</Note>
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Editing Rows">
Right-click any row to open the context menu, then select "Edit Row".

![Context Menu](/images/13-data-view-context-menu.png)

Modify the values in the edit dialog:

![Edit Row Dialog](/images/14-data-view-edit-row-dialog.png)

<Tip>
Double-click a row to quickly open the edit dialog
</Tip>
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Deleting Rows">
Right-click a row and select "Delete Row" from the context menu.

![Delete Option](/images/43-context-menu-delete-option.png)

Confirm the deletion to permanently remove the record.

<Warning>
Deletions are permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure you have backups before deleting data.
</Warning>
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### 3. Running Queries

The Scratchpad is your SQL playground:

![Scratchpad Code Editor](/images/28-scratchpad-code-editor.png)

<Steps>
<Step title="Write Your Query">
Type your SQL query in the code editor. You get syntax highlighting and auto-completion.

```sql
SELECT id, username, email
FROM users
WHERE created_at > '2024-01-01'
ORDER BY id DESC
LIMIT 10;
```
</Step>
<Step title="Execute the Query">
Click the Run button or press Cmd/Ctrl+Enter to execute.
</Step>
<Step title="View Results">
Results appear below the editor in a data grid.

![Query Results](/images/29-scratchpad-query-results.png)
</Step>
<Step title="Save to History">
All queries are automatically saved to history for easy access later.

![Query History](/images/33-scratchpad-query-history.png)
</Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
Scratchpad supports multiple cells, allowing you to organize and execute different queries independently
</Info>

### 4. Visualizing Schema

The Graph view provides a visual representation of your database:

![Graph View](/images/25-graph-view-with-controls.png)

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Navigation Controls">
- **Pan**: Click and drag the canvas
- **Zoom**: Use mouse wheel or zoom controls
- **Fit View**: Click the fit button to center all nodes
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Node Interactions">
Click on any table node to view its columns and relationships.

![Node Details](/images/26-graph-view-node-details.png)

Relationships are shown as connecting lines with cardinality indicators.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Understanding Relationships">
- **One-to-Many**: Solid line with single/multiple indicators
- **Many-to-One**: Reverse of one-to-many
- **Many-to-Many**: Through junction tables
- **One-to-One**: Solid line with single indicators on both ends
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### 5. Exporting Data

Export your data in multiple formats:

![Export Dialog](/images/20-data-view-export-dialog.png)

<Steps>
<Step title="Choose Export Mode">
- **Export All**: Export all rows in the table
- **Export Selected**: Export only selected rows
- **Export Filtered**: Export rows matching current filters
</Step>
<Step title="Select Format">
Choose your preferred format:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="CSV">
Comma-separated values for Excel and data tools
</Card>
<Card title="Excel">
Native Excel format (.xlsx)
</Card>
<Card title="JSON">
JSON format for APIs and applications
</Card>
<Card title="SQL">
SQL INSERT statements for backups
</Card>
</CardGroup>
</Step>
<Step title="Configure Options">
Set delimiter, encoding, and other format-specific options:

![Export Format Options](/images/21-data-view-export-format-dropdown.png)
</Step>
<Step title="Download">
Click "Export" to download your file
</Step>
</Steps>

## Common Workflows

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Data Exploration">
<Steps>
<Step title="Connect to Database">
Log in with your credentials
</Step>
<Step title="Browse Schema">
Expand schemas in the sidebar to find interesting tables
</Step>
<Step title="View Sample Data">
Click a table to see its contents
</Step>
<Step title="Apply Filters">
Add WHERE conditions to focus on specific data
</Step>
<Step title="Export Results">
Save filtered data for further analysis
</Step>
</Steps>
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Quick Query">
<Steps>
<Step title="Open Scratchpad">
Navigate to the Scratchpad view
</Step>
<Step title="Write Query">
Type your SQL query with auto-completion help
</Step>
<Step title="Execute">
Run the query and view results
</Step>
<Step title="Refine">
Adjust the query based on results
</Step>
<Step title="Save">
Query is automatically saved to history
</Step>
</Steps>
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Data Maintenance">
<Steps>
<Step title="Navigate to Table">
Find and open the table you want to modify
</Step>
<Step title="Filter Data">
Use WHERE conditions to find specific rows
</Step>
<Step title="Make Changes">
Add, edit, or delete rows as needed
</Step>
<Step title="Verify Changes">
Refresh to see updated data
</Step>
<Step title="Export Backup">
Export a backup before major changes
</Step>
</Steps>
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Schema Analysis">
<Steps>
<Step title="Open Graph View">
Switch to the Graph visualization
</Step>
<Step title="Explore Relationships">
Click nodes to see table connections
</Step>
<Step title="Identify Patterns">
Look for table clusters and relationship chains
</Step>
<Step title="Check Constraints">
Use Explore view to see indexes and keys
</Step>
<Step title="Document Findings">
Export schema diagram for documentation
</Step>
</Steps>
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Keyboard Shortcuts

<Tip>
Master these shortcuts to work faster in WhoDB
</Tip>

### Global Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Cmd/Ctrl + K` | Quick navigation |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + /` | Toggle sidebar |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + F` | Search in current view |
| `Esc` | Close dialogs/modals |

### Scratchpad Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Cmd/Ctrl + Enter` | Run current query |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + S` | Save query |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + N` | New cell |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + D` | Duplicate cell |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F` | Format query |

### Data Grid Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Cmd/Ctrl + C` | Copy selected cell |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + A` | Select all rows |
| `Tab` | Move to next cell |
| `Shift + Tab` | Move to previous cell |
| `Enter` | Edit selected row |

## Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Query Performance">
- Use `LIMIT` for large result sets
- Add indexes for frequently filtered columns
- Avoid `SELECT *` in production queries
- Use EXPLAIN to analyze slow queries
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Data Safety">
- Always backup before bulk operations
- Use read-only accounts when possible
- Test queries on development databases first
- Enable SQL review before executing
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Organization">
- Use descriptive names for saved queries
- Create folders for different projects
- Document complex queries with comments
- Tag queries by purpose or category
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Collaboration">
- Share connection details securely
- Document schema changes
- Use consistent naming conventions
- Keep query history for auditing
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics, explore specific features in depth:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="AI Chat Assistant" icon="robot" href="/ai/introduction">
Query databases using natural language
</Card>
<Card title="Data Management" icon="table" href="/data/viewing-data">
Master data viewing, filtering, and editing
</Card>
<Card title="Query Interface" icon="code" href="/query/scratchpad-intro">
Learn advanced query techniques
</Card>
<Card title="Schema Explorer" icon="sitemap" href="/features/schema-explorer">
Understand your database structure
</Card>
</CardGroup>

<Check>
You're now ready to use WhoDB effectively! Explore the detailed documentation for advanced features and techniques.
</Check>
